Q&A: SAMHSA’s New Chief, Elinore McCance-Katz

January 5, 2018

“Elinore McCance-Katz, MD, PhD, is the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the Department of Health and Human Services, which puts her in charge of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

In this exclusive interview with MedPage Today, McCance-Katz shared her views of medication-assisted treatment, safe injection facilities, and the balance between medical and psychosocial approaches to mental health treatment.

“My belief is that psychiatric medicine is absolutely key, that people who have serious mental illness do not get to what has been called ‘recovery’ without getting that treatment piece,” she said.

She added that recovery supports are equally important to living a full life.

McCance-Katz is the first psychiatrist to lead SAMHSA. Her new position was established under the 21st Century Cures Act by Congress, because some members felt the agency needed stronger leadership and greater accountability.”